Combined rod guide and rod rotator device

ABSTRACT

A combined guide and automatic rod rotator device for a downhole sucker rod which is reciprocating axially. The sucker rod is connected with a swivel mechanism to allow rotational movement of the sucker rod. The combined guide and automatic rod rotator device includes a cylindrical body and at least two vanes extending radially from the cylindrical body, wherein the vanes are helically arranged on the body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention is directed to a combined rod guide and rodrotator which may be used in downhole well applications.

[0003] 2. Prior Art

[0004] Rod guides are used for stabilizing and centralizing sucker rodswhich are usually long, cylindrical rods used in downhole wellapplications. In one type of application, the sucker rod is reciprocatedwithin a well bore or tubing string to pump oil or other fluids from areservoir.

[0005] The rod itself is usually attached at the surface to a pumpingunit. The rod and attached rod guide or guides reciprocate axiallyupwardly and downwardly within the tubing string. Oil and other fluidpasses upwardly through the gap between the rod and the tubing string tothe surface. The rod is prevented from moving sideways or wobbling bythe installation of periodic rod guides. The rod guides typically have anumber of vanes, fins or blades which extend radially and centralize therod within the cylindrical tubing. This prevents the rod from wearing orfrom other damage. Any wear will, thus, occur to the rod guide fins.

[0006] The rod guides may be fabricated from various materials, such assynthetic materials which are oil-resistant and resistant to abrasion.

[0007] In one known type of procedure, the cylindrical rod ismanufactured initially and then the guides are affixed thereto byadhesive bonding.

[0008] It is also desirable to prevent the vanes from wearing on thetubing string in a single location. Accordingly, in the past, there havebeen devices at or near the surface which will rotate the rod upon eachreciprocal movement of the rod in the well. These known rod rotators aremechanically driven at the surface or are driven by the reciprocal axialmovement of the rod.

[0009] Also in the past, helically wound fins or vanes have been addedor wrapped around a sucker rod such as shown in Bostic, U.S. Pat. No.1,633,843, entitled “Snap-On Sucker Rod Guide”.

[0010] It is desirable to provide a rod guide that will prevent sidewaysor wobbling movement and centralize the rod within the string. It isalso desirable at the same time to provide a rod guide which willfacilitate periodic rotation of the guide so that wear on the tubingstring is evenly applied.

[0011] It is also desirable to provide a rod guide that will be rotatedby the resistance of fluid against the vanes of the rod guide, withoutrequiring further mechanical action.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention is directed to a combined rod guide andautomatic rod rotator device.

[0013] In a typical well operation, a sucker rod extends from thesurface downhole to a production area where fluid is located. The suckerrod will reciprocate in the well bore or tubing string and may becomposed of a number of sections which are joined together by threadedcouplings.

[0014] One or more devices constructed in accordance with the presentinvention will be utilized in conjunction with the sucker rod in orderto stabilize and centralize the sucker rod in the downhole well. Acylindrical body surrounds the circumference of the sucker rod. Thecylindrical body is also coaxial with the sucker rod which passesthrough a cylindrical opening in the body. The combined rod guide androd rotator device includes at least two opposed fins or vanes whichextend radially from the cylindrical body. Each vane has a pair ofsubstantially planar sidewalls that are parallel to each other. Eachvane is helically arranged on the cylindrical body. In one embodiment,each vane travels and extends helically approximately 90° around thebody. The hydraulic force of the fluid downhole will cause the deviceand the attached sucker rod to rotate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram of one well arrangement utilizingthe combined rod guide and rod rotator device of the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 2 is an alternate arrangement of a well utilizing thecombined rod guide and rod rotator device of the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram of a further, alternate arrangementof a well utilizing the combined rod guide and rod rotator device of thepresent invention.

[0018]FIG. 4 illustrates an end view and FIG. 5 illustrates aperspective view of a combined rod guide and rod rotator device havingtwo extending vanes.

[0019]FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view and FIG. 7 illustrates anend view of a combined rod guide and rod rotator device having threeextending vanes.

[0020]FIG. 8 illustrates an end view and FIG. 9 illustrates aperspective view of a combined rod guide and rod rotator deviceconstructed in accordance with the present invention having fourextending vanes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] The embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative ofspecific manners in which to make and use the invention and are not tobe interpreted as limiting the scope of the instant invention.

[0022] While the invention has been described with a certain degree ofparticularity, it is to be noted that many modifications may be made inthe details of the invention's construction and the arrangement of itscomponents without departing from the spirit and scope of thisdisclosure. It is understood that the invention is not limited to theembodiments set forth herein for purposes of exemplification.

[0023] Referring to the drawings in detail, FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 illustratealternate arrangements utilizing the combined guide and automatic rodrotator device 10 of the present invention.

[0024] As seen in FIG. 1, a typical pumping jack unit 12 would belocated at the surface. An engine or motor moves a beam 38. A cable 14attached to the beam reciprocates a polished rod 16 axially as shown inarrow 18.

[0025] Typical components in a well operation might include a stuffingbox 20, a lateral flow line 22, a tubing head 24 and casing head 26.Various alternatives and permutations of these arrangements are known.

[0026] Movement of the polished rod 16 causes reciprocal axial movementof a sucker rod 30 downhole within a well bore or tubing string 32. Thesucker rod maybe composed of a number of sections which are joinedtogether by threaded coupling 28. The sucker rod 30 will extend from thesurface downhole to a production area where fluid is located. The suckerrod 30 will reciprocate in the well bore or tubing string. The suckerrod will be powered or driven from the surface and will drive a downholepump or other tool. Fluid in the production area will be brought to thesurface in the space between the sucker rod 30 and the well bore ortubing string 32.

[0027] A bearing block 34 permits free rotational movement of the suckerrod 30 within the tubing string or well bore.

[0028] As will be explained in detail, the reciprocal movement of therod guide 10 through downhole fluid will cause the attached sucker rodto rotate radially.

[0029]FIG. 2 illustrates an alternate arrangement utilizing the combinedguide and automatic rod rotator device of the present invention. Atypical pumping jack unit 40 would be located at the surface. A cable 42reciprocates a polished rod 44 axially as shown by arrow 46.

[0030] Typical components in a well operation might include a stuffingbox 48, a lateral flow line 50, a tubing head 52 and a casing head 54.Movement of the polished rod 44 causes reciprocal axial movement of asucker rod 56 downhole within a well bore or tubing string 58. Thesucker rod 56 may be composed of a number of sections joined together bycouplings 62.

[0031] A rod rotator 60 rotates the sucker rod upon each axial passageof the rod. Various types of mechanical rod rotators are known. In onetype of known rod rotator 60, a rotating force is provided by a ratchethandle that is moved upward by movement of the rod and moves downward bygravity to cause rotation of the rod. The present invention could beused in conjunction with an existing rod rotator to encourage rotationalmovement.

[0032]FIG. 3 illustrates a further alternate arrangement utilizing thecombined guide and automatic rod rotator device 10 of the presentinvention.

[0033] A typical pump jacking unit 70 would be located at the surface. Acable 72 reciprocates a polished rod 74 axially as shown by arrow 76.

[0034] Typical components in a well operation might include a stuffingbox 78, a lateral flow line 80, a tubing head 82 and a casing head 84.

[0035] Movement of the polished rod 74 causes reciprocal axial movementof a sucker rod 86 downhole within a well bore or tubing string 88. Thesucker rod 86 is composed of a number of sections joined together bycouplings 92. One of the connections would be a swivel coupling 90 whichpermits free rotation of one section of the rod with another. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 3, the sucker rod below the swivel coupling 90would be rotated by force of fluid on the guide 10 while the sucker rodabove the coupling would not rotate.

[0036] By use of swivel couplings and the present invention, it ispossible to rotate only a portion of the length of the sucker rod.

[0037]FIG. 4 is an end view and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a firstembodiment of a combined rod guide and rod rotator 10 constructed inaccordance with the present invention.

[0038] A cylindrical body 100 surrounds the circumference of the suckerrod 30. The cylindrical body 100 is also coaxial with the sucker rodwhich passes through a cylindrical opening in the body 100.

[0039] The combined rod guide and rod rotator 10 also includes twoopposed fins or vanes 102 and 104 which extend radially from thecylindrical body 100. By way of example and not by way of limitation,the sucker rod may have a one inch diameter and the total diameter ofthe device is approximately 2.3 inches. The device may have a length ofapproximately 6 inches.

[0040] The vanes each have a pair of substantially planar side wallsthat are parallel to each other.

[0041] Each of the fins is oriented approximately 180° radially fromeach other. Each vane 102 and 104 is helically arranged on thecylindrical body 100. In the embodiment shown, each vane travels andextends helically approximately 90° around the body. The vanes may behelically wound to a lesser or greater extent. Between the vanes, anexterior face may have a radiused configuration to mate with theinterior of the tubing string or well bore.

[0042] Additionally, each vane 102 and 104 tapers toward the ends of thecylindrical body. Accordingly, the device has a length slightly longerthan the length of each of the vanes.

[0043]FIG. 6 is a perspective view and FIG. 7 is an end view of thesecond embodiment of a combined rod guide and rod rotator 110constructed in accordance with the present invention.

[0044] A cylindrical body 112 surrounds the circumference of the suckerrod. The cylindrical body 112 is also coaxial with the sucker rod whichpasses through the cylindrical opening in the body. The combined rodguide 110 also includes three oppose fins or vanes 114, 116 and 118which extend radially from the cylindrical body. The vanes each have apair of substantially planar sidewalls that are parallel to each other.In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, each of the vanes are orientedapproximately 120° radially from an adjoining vane. Each vane 114, 116and 118 is helically arranged on the cylindrical body 110. In theembodiment shown, each vane travels and extends helically approximately90° around the body. The vanes maybe helically wound to a lesser orgreater extent.

[0045]FIG. 8 is an end view and FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a thirdembodiment of a combined rod guide and rod rotator 120 constructed inaccordance with the present invention.

[0046] A cylindrical body 122 surrounds the circumference of the suckerrod. The cylindrical body 122 is also coaxial with the sucker rod whichpasses through a cylindrical opening in the body. The combined rod guideand rod rotator also includes four opposed fins or vanes 124, 126, 128and 130 which extend radially from the cylindrical body 122. Each of thevanes has a pair of substantially planar sidewalls that are parallel toeach other. Each of the vanes is oriented approximately 90° radiallyfrom each other. Each vane 124, 126, 128 and 130 is helically arrangedon the cylindrical body 122. Each vane travels and extends approximately90° around the body.

[0047] In each of the embodiments, the rotation will tend to equalizewear on the tubing or well string.

[0048] In one method of construction, a sucker rod is placed within amold having a cavity. The guide material is then poured into the moldwhere it cures and adheres around the sucker rod. Accordingly, thecombined guide is adhesively bonded to the rod. The force indicated byarrow 36 in FIG. 1 will be brought to bear against each of the vanes.Accordingly, the force of the fluid will cause the device 10 and theattached rod to rotate.

[0049] The vanes will be helically arranged in the direction so as totighten any threaded connection at the coupling which joins the sectionstogether. For example, if the section couplings have a right hand threadto tighten, the vanes will be arranged to rotate the rod in the samedirection.

[0050] Whereas, the present invention has been described in relation tothe drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other andfurther modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, maybe made within the spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A combined guide and automatic rod rotator devicefor a downhole sucker rod which is reciprocated axially, wherein saidsucker rod is connected with a swivel mechanism to allow rotationalmovement of said sucker rod, which device comprises: a cylindrical body;and at least two vanes extending radially from said cylindrical body,wherein said vanes are helically arranged on said body.
 2. A combineddevice as set forth in claim 1 having three said vanes.
 3. A combineddevice as set forth in claim 1 having four said vanes.
 4. A combineddevice as set forth in claim 1 wherein each said vane extends helicallyapproximately ninety degrees (90°).
 5. A combined device as set forth inclaim 1 wherein said swivel mechanism is chosen from the groupconsisting of a bearing block at the wellhead, a swivel coupling in saidsucker rod, and another existing means of rotation of said sucker rod.6. A combined device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said downholesucker rod communicates with a limiter device to allow rotation of saidsucker rod in one direction only and prevent rotation in an oppositedirection.
 7. A combined device as set forth in claim 1 wherein eachsaid vane has a pair of planar sidewalls parallel to each other.
 8. Acombined device as set forth in claim 7 wherein each said vane includesa radiused face between said sidewalls.
 9. A combined device as setforth in claim 2 wherein each said vane tapers toward said cylindricalbody.
 10. A combined device as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidcylindrical body is adhesively bonded to said rod.
 11. A method to guidea downhole sucker rod in reciprocating axial movement and to radiallyrotate said sucker rod, which method comprises: guiding a sucker rodthrough said axial movement in a well tubing with at least two vanesextending from a cylindrical body; and rotating said sucker rod radiallyin said well tubing by force of fluid against said vanes, each of whichis helically arranged about said body.
 12. A method as set forth inclaim 11 wherein said sucker rod is permitted to rotate by a swivelmechanism chosen from the group consisting of a bearing block at thewellhead, a swivel coupling in said sucker rod, and another existingmeans of rotation of said sucker rod.
 13. A method as set forth in claim12 including the additional step of limiting rotation in an oppositedirection by a limiter device.
 14. A method as set forth in claim 12wherein said swivel mechanism is a swivel coupling and wherein only aportion of said sucker rod is rotated radially.